birch trees

[croc dundee]

do u get birch trees in every woodlands and is there any other tree u can get bark from which takes a spark

 

[Mesquite]

Not all woodlands but most.

I know of a 40 acre woodland near me that I go for bimbles in and it took me weeks to find any birch in it... a couple young solitary saplings

 

[greensurfingbear]

Birch is one of the pioneer species of trees and as such tends to be one of the first trees to colonise an new area within seed travelling distance of course. It doesn't have the longest life span compared to other trees so it makes up for it by growing fast and vigorous. It is very common in the UK but I think it tends not to be in many old growth areas.

Off the top of my head I can't think of any other trees in the UK that peels like birch and can catch a spark.

 

[spiritwalker]

cherry peels and even though i have one in the garden i must confess i havent tried to spark it lol

 

[tomongoose]

I have not found any bark that takes a spark as well in fact most barks are pretty fire proof as greensurfingbear said its a pioneer species so look around the edge of clearing or around the edge of the woods and you are most likely to find them. Old birch can look very knarled and un birch like so make sure you look up at the canopy as well

 

[greensurfingbear]

in fact most barks are pretty fire proof

That's true we used to hold matches against a red wood tree on an estate I used to work on to show kids how resilient some trees are to fire. Think it used to wow me more than the kids lol

 

[Robbi]

what about the trees that the kawala bears live in ( i can't spell it ! ) eucaliptus ? that peals really nicely

 

[WeThePeoplexfbm]

do we have birch in Auss? ima google it ^^

 

[Ex Member - Sidney Bounty]

That got me thinking we have Arbutus trees that peel their bark I have never tried to see how combustible it is but I will be trying to get some now for testing....

 

[stekker]

do we have birch in Auss? ima google it ^^

I don't know,but the paper-bark tree provides a nice tinder that will catch a spark immediatly.

Gr. Theo

 

[Ul Troll]

We have a couple of sequoias near where I live, which have a soft spongy and very fiborous bark though I've never tried to set
it alight (these trees propagate through fire IIRC and must be pretty fireproof) but it does look as though it would smolder quite well rather than burn and may be useful in getting an ember. (I must try this and see if it will)
This area is festooned in birch trees and it's definatly one of the most easily recognisable trees and should be easy spotted
with its distinctive silvery white trunk.

 

[Ul Troll]

Small update.
I decided to give the dog (and me) a treat of an extra long walk and just happened to go where I could aquire some redwood bark It's very soft and I could easily scrape it even with my fingernail to produce a fine tinder, it readily took a spark from the firesteel and happily smoldered away with little encouragment and as a bonus it smells lovely. So much so that the wife asked if I was burning incense, hehe.
It will now be added to my firemaking kit so well worth the extra couple of miles

 

[HeltorChasca]

That got me thinking we have Arbutus trees that peel their bark I have never tried to see how combustible it is but I will be trying to get some now for testing....

In love with that there tree.....hc

 

[moonshadow]

Birch bark is excellent for catching a spark but I always carry a short 4 inch piece of seasoned bamboo for emergencies. Scrape with a sharp knife to form a small dust pile then a spark or two to get it going every time. Good site this in't it ?

 

[Siberianfury]

chedar bark works well. the best natural tinder ive found is a cramp ball and some dry grass.